For the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, this is the first time in Oscar history that two African American artistes have been hailed as Best Actors in the same year. Denzel Washington's tough cop in Training Day saved the day while Halle Berry packed a strong punch as an aggressive widow in Monster's Ball.

Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind tasted success as Best Picture as well as won an award for Best Direction. Special Awards were given to Arthur Hiller (Love Story), and Robert Redford, who won a Lifetime mention.

For India, it is a sombre moment. Ashutosh Gowariker and Aamir Khan, the driving forces of one of the biggest hits of 2001, Lagaan, lost out to Bosnia's No Man's Land. The director, in a call to his father, asked him not to take the loss to heart, and that winning an Oscar nomination itself was enough.

Showman Subhash Ghai echoed Ashutosh's long-distance thought when he said, "The fact that they [the Academy] are now coming to watch Indian cinema is a proud moment for us."